Equine reciprocal apparatus - animation

3D Model

The reciprocal apparatus is part of the passive stay-apparatus in equines. It consists of the M. fibularis tertius (Tendo femorotarseus) and the M. flexor digitorum superficialis (Tendo plantaris).

These nearly tendinous muscles link the actions of the stifle and the hock joints so that they move in unision when it comes to flexion and extension. Moreover, if the stifle joint is locked the hock joint is also automatically incapable of movement.

3D scanning of bones performed with the structured light scanners “Artec Leo” and “Artec Space Spider”. Modeling of muscles and animation done in Blender.